Comparison

The Artclock vs TXBoard

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The Artclock

This app reimagines your desk clock with a fluid, visual representation of time. It uses dynamic layering and smooth animations to display the passage of hours and minutes through color and motion, offering a calming and aesthetic alternative to traditional timekeeping.

Highlights
  • Fluid representation of time
  • Dynamic color and motion
  • Adjustable transparency and depth
  • Satisfying hour reset animation
  • Visual hourly progress indicator
  • Minimalist customization (numbers/words)
Features
Read full description

Time isn’t just numbers; it’s a living canvas. Reimagine your desk clock. No ticking, no clutter—just color, motion, and time. The Artclock is a high-concept, kinetic timepiece designed for the modern aesthetic. It moves away from the ticking clock and toward a fluid representation of "the now." Experience a clock that breathes. The Artclock transforms the passage of time into a mesmerizing visual journey of light and color. Inspired by the natural rhythms of the day, The Artclock uses dynamic layering and smooth animations to show you exactly where you stand in the current hour. Watch as the minutes "slice" through a foreground of color, gradually revealing the foundation beneath. As the day turns to night, The Artclock follows the sun, shifting its palette to match the world outside your window. Features You’ll Love: Tailored Transparency: Use the custom glassmorphic slider to adjust the depth and intensity of the clock's layers. Fluid Transitions: Watch the hour reset with a satisfying sweep animation that resets the canvas. Visual Hourly Progress: See the hour pass through a growing circular reveal. Always On: Perfect for use as a dedicated desk clock or nightstand display. Minimalist Customization: Switch between numbers and words, and adjust transparency to match your style.

About

TXBoard

Features
Read full description

TXBoard turns your iPad into an always-on home information display. Mount it on a wall, place it on a desk, or keep it by the entryway: time, date, and weather stay readable at a glance, even from across the room. Core panels Clock: bigger and clearer Large digital clock faces are easy to read from a distance. The layout adapts to portrait and landscape, with optional seconds, lunar date, and seasonal term information. Calendar: the whole month on one screen A full monthly calendar shows holidays, lunar dates, solar terms, custom anniversaries, and countdowns. On Apple platforms, it can also surface today's incomplete Reminders so important plans stay visible. Weather: quiet and glanceable See current temperature, feels-like temperature, conditions, and the next few days of forecast. Use automatic location or add cities manually; updates stay useful without getting in your way. Built for long-running displays - Low CPU and network usage to help reduce power consumption - Stable always-on operation for older iPads - Automatic panel rotation, so the display keeps working without manual switching - Low-interaction design: set it up once and let it stay useful Thoughtful details - Light, dark, and system theme modes - Simplified Chinese, English, and Japanese interface support - Custom backgrounds and colors to match your space - Clear information hierarchy for both close-up and distance viewing Great for - Entryways, living rooms, bedrooms, and studies - Desks and workspaces where an old device can become useful again - Guest rooms, shops, classrooms, and other always-on information boards Privacy - We do not collect personal information - Location is used only after your permission and only for local weather - Your configuration stays on your device Give an unused iPad a practical second life as a calm, readable home screen.

Screenshots

The Artclock2 screens
TXBoard3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: The Artclock at none against TXBoard's shown. TXBoard's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Artclock ships an update every 4 months, TXBoard every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
The Artclock versus TXBoard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe ArtclockTXBoard
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRien HealdMianchi TianXin Technology Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

None

The Artclock

No in-app purchases

None

TXBoard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is The Artclock free?
The Artclock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TXBoard free?
TXBoard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do The Artclock or TXBoard have ads?
TXBoard shows ads; The Artclock does not.
Which is updated more often, The Artclock or TXBoard?
The Artclock ships an update every 4 months, and TXBoard every 2 weeks. Most recently, The Artclock was updated on October 31, 2026 and TXBoard on November 5, 2026.

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